Adjustable signal hanger and double door terminal disconnect housing

ABSTRACT

For suspending a traffic signal, an adjustable extendible signal hanger to connect to a suspending cable at the upper end and with a double door terminal disconnect housing secured to the lower end of said hanger, each of the housing doors being on opposite sides of the housing and each carrying on the inside door surface a plurality of terminals for connection of electrical leads of an electrical traffic signal so that when the doors are open connection of electrical leads to the terminals can be made outside of the box without the need for connection in the confined space of the interior of the housing.

United States Patent [1 1 Friedman [45] Oct. 28, 1975 ADJUSTABLE SIGNAL HANGER AND 2,925,458 2/1960 Lester 340/119 DOUBLE DOOR TERMINAL DISCONNECT 3,137,212 6/1964 HOUSING 3,334,197 8/1967 Boden et a1 174/40 R 3,399,856 9/1968 Pecaut 240/67 [76] Inventor: Jack J. Friedman, 1025 SE. 5th St., 3,808,504 4 1974 Rabie 317/120 Hialeah, Fla. 33010 1 [22] Filed: July 30 1974 Primary ExaminerGerald P. Tolin 21 A l. No.1493 021 1 pp 57 ABSTRACT [52] CL 317/99 317/118, 248/327 For suspending a traffic signal, an adjustable extend- 340/1 l9 174/4O ible signal hanger to connect to a suspending cable at [51] Int. GL2 {105K 5/00 the upper end and with a double door terminal discon- [58] Field of H7 118 nect housing secured to the lower end of said hanger, 317/120 R 44 each of the housing doors being on opposite sides of 61 64, 84 the housing and each carrying on the inside door sur- 248/295 327 339/44 R 3 face a plurality of terminals for connection of electrif 240267 84 BA cal leads of an electrical traffic signal so that when the 1 doors are open connection of electrical leads to the [56] References Cited terminals can be made outside of the box without the need for connection in the confined space of the inte- UNITED STATES PATENTS riot of the housing 486,804 11/1892 Wood 248/327 699,189 5/1902 Kerr 248/327 7 Clalms, 5 Drawlng Flgures U.S. Patent Oct.28, 1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,916,265

US. Patent Oct.28, 1975 Sheet20f2 3,916,265

eeee 9.9996996 ADJUSTABLE SIGNAL HANGER AND DOUBLE DOOR TERMINAL DISCONNECT HOUSING FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to traffic signal devices and, more particularly, to an adjustable length double door terminal disconnect housing connected to the hanger.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the past it is often required that the signal lights at an intersection to be controlled by traffic lights be arranged at a height which'varies somewhat from location to location. This gives rise to the need for an adjustable length hanger. In the past great difficulty has been encountered in providing a hanger to suspend the electric signal lights from a cable and to arrange the length of the hanger so.that the lights are at the desired location. I

It is an object of this invention to provide a device which includes a readily adjustable hanger length, the hanger being composed of first and second member which are adapted to be extended or retracted in generally telescoped relation to adjust the overall length.

In the past it has also been rather difficult to do electrical work in the relatively confined interior of a conventional terminal disconnect housing for traffic signals. This invention provides a housing having opposed doors each of which doors carries on the inside surface thereof a terminal section which, when the door is swung open, is accessible for ready electrical connection of leads so that the doors may then be closed with the connections protectively housed within the interior of the box.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide an electrical traffic signal terminal disconnect housing in combination with a hanger, preferably which is adjustable, which includes the above-referenced swinging doors with carried terminal blocks.

In the past because-of inclement weather in certain locations, such as in hurricane prone areas, it is often necessary or desirable to remove the signal lights from the hanger and terminal disconnect housing and, to this end, the present invention provides a removable floor section and means for quickly disconnecting the floor section and the electrical signal together with a male plug which connects to the terminal blocks on the housing so that the traffic control devices may be readily removed until the inclement weather has passed.

In accordance with these and other objects which have become apparent hereinafter the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevation view illustrating the hanger and terminal housing attached to a suspension cable;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and illustrating a side elevation view thereof,

FIG. 3 is a view in cross section taken on the plane indicated by the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a view of the terminal box illustrating the opposing doors in opened relation for easy access to the terminal blocksmounted on the inside surface of the doors;

FIG. 5 is a view in cross section of the interior of the box or terminal housing portion of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 12 generally designates an extendible signal hanger and the numeral 14 generally designates a terminal disconnect housing, while the numeral 16 comprises the zone of the means to connect the hanger and housing.

Referring specifically to the hanger, it is seen to include (a) a first elongate member 18 with an upper end and a lower end 20 and 22, and (b) a second elongate member 23 with an upper end 24 and a lower end 26. It is noted that along the length of the elongate members a plurality of holes such as that designated by the numeral 28 and 30 are provided, the holes being equispaced and adapted to register with one another to vary the length of the hanger and to be secured together in a selected overall length by means of through bolts 34 and 36 at the upper end of the first member and the lower end of the second member and secured by means of nuts 38 and 40 with lock washers 42 and 44 being utilized. The longitudinally extending edges 46 and 48 of the first member and 50 and 52 of the second member are preferably V-shaped as seen in cross section and are of companionate or mating size for nesting sliding land and groove relation upon extensible movement of the members relative to one another, the said longitudinally extending edges also serving as rigidifying means for the hanger members. Means are provided on the upper end 20 of the first member for pivotal connection as at 54 with a cable engaging support 56 having a clevis type connection defined by a pair of spaced legs 58 and 60 which at their upper ends extend outwardly into a laterally extending groove shaped segment 62 which is adapted to nest a cable 63 therein to be engaged and fastened by the U-bolts 64 and 66 and in turn secured by nuts such as 68 and lock washers 70. The pivot pin is preferably secured by a cotter pin as indicated by the numeral 72.

In the preferred embodiment clamp means are also provided intermediate the hanger length for connection of it to a stabilizing cable 74, the clamp means being designated by the numeral 76 and preferably being composed of a pair of blocks, a first block and a second block 78 and 80 each of which has holes extending laterally therethrough as at 82 and 84 to receive bolts, nuts and lock washers as at 86. Each of the blocks of the clamp has a groove in mating relation with one another to receive the stabilizing cable indicated by the numeral 74, the said grooves being indicated by the numeral 90, whereby the same may be tightened securely to the hanger members and clamp as illustrated.

In the preferred embodiment of the hanger, the lower end 26 is provided with a hub and a reinforcing segment or web 102. The hub has a plurality of radial 3 a clamping connection on the opposite sides of the reinforced roof 109 of the housing. I

Referring to the housing, it is seen to include a floor 116, end walls 118 and 120, each of which end walls has an opening 101 and 103 to accommodate electrical lines, and, also, oppositely facing side doors 120 and 122 which are hingedly connected to the end walls as indicated at 130 and 132. The interior surface of the doors are provided with a plurality of terminals secured thereto for electrical lead lines, such terminals being indicated by the numeral 140 and preferably including a female plug as at 143 for receiving the leads connected to a companionate male plug 145 of a traffic signal box. Lock means in the form of a bolt 147 are provided to secure the door in a closed position.

In the preferred embodiment the floor of the housing has a first portion, the main portion 116, and a removable portion 150 with a through hole 151 so that the removable portion of the floor may be slidably engaged with the main floor portion when installed and secured by the keeper 99 of the door. Additional lock means 154 arealso provided to secure the removable floor portion to the housing, these means being in the form of rotatable members pivotally connected to the main floor.

It is thus seen that there is provided an extendible length hanger and a double-door terminal box to which a traffic signal is adapted for ready accessible electrical and supported connection and which is also adapted to be quickly removed from the hanger and terminal box during inclement weather by reason of the partial floor which is removable and the male and female plug connections.

What is claimed is:

1. For suspension of a traffic control device in an intersection having an upper horizontal support cable spanning a zone of the intersection to be controlled to support the traffic control device in depending relation and electrical lines to energize the same, and a lower generally parallel stabilizer cable, in combination, a terminal disconnect housing and an adjustable length hanger;

A. said housing comprising, a top wall, bottom wall and walls defining an inner chamber; one of said walls comprising a movable closure member for access to the chamber, and means mounting said closure member to said housing; said housing having at least one port sized for passage of the electrical lines to the chamber; and means on the housing to connect to and support a traffic signal device in depending relation beneath said housing,

B. said adjustable length hanger having an upper end and a lower end and including, a first elongate member and a second elongate member, each member having longitudinally extending edges and an upper and lowerend, mutually intercooperating means on the members between the upper and lower ends of each member for adjustment of the overall length of said hanger between the hanger ends and effective to extend or contract the overall length, and locking means intermediate the upper and lower ends of each member releasably securing the members together;

C. a cable connector means on the upper end of said hanger to connect to a traffic signal support cable including a'cable engaging portion and a clamp means to secure the hanger in depending relation on the support cable; and

4 D. mutually intercooperating means connecting the lower end of said hanger to the housing locking the housing and hanger together at a predetermined angular relationship with respect to the longitudinally extending axis of the hanger; and E. clamp means on the hanger intermediate the upper and lower ends to be fixed to the stabilizer cable to resist sway movement about the support cable of the hanger, housing and traffic signal device.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 including adjustable means interconnecting the second mentioned clamp means and the hanger for adjustment of the second mentioned clamp means between the hanger ends and to lock the second mentioned clamp means at a selected location spaced from said cable connector means.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said longitudinally extending edges of said member comprise land and groove means for mating sliding movement of said hanger members to adjust said overall length. I

4. The combination as set forth in claim 1. wherein hinge means are provided swingably connecting said closure member and said housing, said closure member having an inside surface and an outside surface and terminal block means on the inside surface for swinging movement with said closure to electrically connect the electrical lines to the housing.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said wall opposite said closure comprises a second closure member for additional access to the chamber including hinge means swingably connecting said oppo site wall to said housing and said opposite wall having an inside surface and an outside surface and means on the inside surface for swinging movement with said last mentioned side wall to electricallylconnect electrical lines to the housing.

6. For suspension of a traffic signal device in an intersection having a horizontal support cable to support the traffic control device and electrical lines to energize the same, in combination, an adjustable length terminal surface and means on the inside surface for swinging movement with said door to electrically connect the electrical lines to the housing;

D. said floor structure including means for connecting a traffic signal device to said housing and to support said electric signal device,

E. said adjustable hanger having an upper end and a lower end and comprising two movably connected members and including means to adjust the overall length of said hanger, and including cable connector means on said upper end to connect to a traffic signal support cable including a cable engaging portion and clamp means to secure the hanger in depending relation on the support cable, and

6 the housing and means to releasably lock the door in a closed position and said door having an inside and an outside surface and means on the inside surface for swinging movement with said other of said side walls to electrically connect the electrical lines to the housing. 

1. For suspension of a traffic control device in an intersection having an upper horizontal support cable spanning a zone of the intersection to be controlled to support the traffic control device in depending relation and electrical lines to energize the same, and a lower generally parallel stabilizer cable, in combination, a terminal disconnect housing and an adjustable length hanger; A. said housing comprising, a top wall, bottom wall and walls defining an inner chamber; one of said walls comprising a movable closure member for access to the chamber, and means mounting said closure member to said housing; said housing having at least one port sized for passage of the electrical lines to the chamber; and means on the housing to connect to and support a traffic signal device in depending relation beneath said housing, B. said adjustable length hanger having an upper end and a lower end and including, a first elongate member and a second elongate member, each member having longitudinally extending edges and an upper and lower end, mutually intercooperating means on the members between the upper and lower ends of each member for adjustment of the overall length of said hanger between the hanger ends and effective to extend or contract the overall length, and locking means intermediate the upper and lower ends of each member releasably securing the members together; C. a cable connector means on the upper end of said hanger to connect to a traffic signal support cable including a cable engaging portion and a clamp means to secure the hanger in depending relation on the support cable; and D. mutually intercooperating means connecting the lower end of said hanger to the housing locking the housing and hanger together at a predetermined angular relationship with respect to the longitudinally extending axis of the hanger; and E. clamp means on the hanger intermediate the upper and lower ends to be fixed to the stabilizer cable to resist sway movement about the support cable of the hanger, housing and traffic signal device.
 2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 including adjustable means interconnecting the second mentioned clamp means and the hanger for adjustment of the second mentioned clamp means between the hanger ends and to lock the second mentioned clamp means at a selected location spaced from said cable connector means.
 3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said longitudinally extending edges of said member comprise land and groove means for mating sliding movement of said hanger members to adjust said overall lengTh.
 4. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein hinge means are provided swingably connecting said closure member and said housing, said closure member having an inside surface and an outside surface and terminal block means on the inside surface for swinging movement with said closure to electrically connect the electrical lines to the housing.
 5. The combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said wall opposite said closure comprises a second closure member for additional access to the chamber including hinge means swingably connecting said opposite wall to said housing and said opposite wall having an inside surface and an outside surface and means on the inside surface for swinging movement with said last mentioned side wall to electrically connect electrical lines to the housing.
 6. For suspension of a traffic signal device in an intersection having a horizontal support cable to support the traffic control device and electrical lines to energize the same, in combination, an adjustable length terminal disconnect housing and a hanger, A. said terminal disconnect housing comprising an interconnected roof, end walls, opposite side walls and floor structure defining said housing and said housing having port means for introducing electrical cable leads into the housing, B. at least one of said side walls comprising a door including hinge means swingably connecting the door to the housing and means to releasably lock the door in a closed position, C. said door having an inside surface and an outside surface and means on the inside surface for swinging movement with said door to electrically connect the electrical lines to the housing; D. said floor structure including means for connecting a traffic signal device to said housing and to support said electric signal device, E. said adjustable hanger having an upper end and a lower end and comprising two movably connected members and including means to adjust the overall length of said hanger, and including cable connector means on said upper end to connect to a traffic signal support cable including a cable engaging portion and clamp means to secure the hanger in depending relation on the support cable, and F. mutually interengaging means interconnecting the lower end of said hanger and the roof of said housing.
 7. The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein the other of said side walls also comprises a door including hinge means swingably connecting the door to the housing and means to releasably lock the door in a closed position and said door having an inside and an outside surface and means on the inside surface for swinging movement with said other of said side walls to electrically connect the electrical lines to the housing. 